Community Resources

Welcome to America and in particular in Lincoln, the capital and second-most populous city of the state of Nebraska. We are a home to over 265,000 people and we are glad you have chosen to become part of our great city.

Do you need help towards becoming self-sufficient and don't know where to start? Lincoln has great Community Services that will help you towards your goal. To become self-sufficient you need to make sure that you and your family take care of the following basic things:

Shelter

Find a suitable home that fits the needs of you and your family. Lincoln goes through extreme seasons of winter where it gets very cold and hot summers where it gets very hot.

If you have an assigned case manager, they will help you find a suitable home and if you do not please immediately apply. They offer federally subsidized housing for low-income families and elderly. Non-subsidized housing is also available. Apply at their office and no appointments are necessary.

Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department has free meals for children 2-18 at income-eligible community sites. This are offered in the summer when reduced fee school lunches are not available. Call 402-441-8000 for site information.

This is a supplemental nutrition program serving pregnant, breast-feeding, postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of 5. Vouchers range from $33-$122 per month. Call Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department at 402-441-6200 or Family Service at 402-441-8655.

For more food distribution sites, see community agencies below.

Clothing

With the different seasons we experience in Lincoln, you are going to need a summer wardrobe and a winter wardrobe. As you start looking for work or going to school, you may need clothes for you and your family members that will fit these needs. The community agencies listed below have clothing resources donated by the generous people of Lincoln. Call one of these agencies to schedule an appointment.

Transportation

To become self-sufficient in Lincoln you will need to be find a way of getting around to find the necessary resources, during job hunting sessions, or going to school. At a low price of $8, you can purchase a regular bus pass or a handivan pass for $16 from several locations in Lincoln. Most of the agencies below sell low-income bus passes but to find a location near you please call StarTran at 402-476-1234. Their address is 710 J street Lincoln, NE 68508.

If you are working towards owning your own car please note that to obtain a driver's license in Nebraska, you will be required to complete a data form, a vision test, and a driving skills test. You are also required to take a knowledge test (Driver's Exam) on driving laws and regulations. See a sample of this exam.

Learn English

English is the most common language used in Lincoln. If you can't speak or write English efficiently, please see one of these agencies for free English classes.

Legal Services

Legal Aid of Nebraska 402-348-1060 provides assistance to low-income people, Native Americans, and elderly people in civil (non-criminal) matters. Qualifying for help is based on income and the type of legal problem that you have. Legal Aid of Nebraska does not handle criminal matters in state or federal court, personal injury or worker's compensation cases. Legal Aid of Nebraska's legal services are free; however, clients may have to pay court costs. Apply online for services.

Entertainment

Lincoln has over 6,000 acres of parks and natural land, 7 recreation centers, 128 miles of trails, 10 public pools and 5 city golf courses. Parks and Recreation really is FUNdamental to our quality of life in Lincoln. See a full list of Lincoln parks and facilities.

Located at 1222 South 27th Street, Lincoln NE 68502, Lincoln's Children Zoo is a place you can take your family to enjoy seeing animals while children are able to participate in various programs designed for children and very low rates.

At the Lincoln Children's Museum, your children can build, dance, play, climb, create, sing, laugh, and be whatever their imagination takes them. It offers hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs that allow children and adults to discover the adventure of learning through play together.

668 acres of tallgrass prairie, woodlands, wetlands and a stream. Since 1963 the Nature Center has served the Lincoln area as an environmental education center and wildlife sanctuary. Eight miles of hiking trails wind through various habitats and take visitors past non-releasable raptor exhibits, as well as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer herds.

Schools

Lincoln has public and private schools where you can get your education to help you with your career plans.

Visit Lincoln Public Schools to find schools near you. Lincoln Public Schools is the second largest public school district in Nebraska and is growing to serve more than 37,80 students in more than 60 schools and programs. Call 402-436-1000 for more information.

Southeast Community College has several locations in town where you can learn English and take GED classes at a very low cost. Call 402-471-333 for more information.

Provides services to those who experience violence, sexual assault and abuse.

Guide to Lincoln

The following are Guidebooks developed by Catholic Social Services in 2012. They are currently available in English, Arabic and Karen. Please keep in mind that some information may be outdated since these were developed in 2012.